Russia claims Ukraine tried to assassinate Putin; Kiev denies Kremlin drone attack

2023-05-03 16:00:23

Published in: 03/05/2023 – 16:00

Russia on Wednesday accused Ukraine of sending two drones to attack the Kremlin, the seat of power in Moscow, denouncing an attempted assassination of Russian President Vladimir Putin, days before major military celebrations in the country. This is the first time that an incursion attributed to Ukraine has taken place in the center of the Russian capital, located about 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

“Last night [terça-feira], the Kiev regime tried to hit the Kremlin with drones. Two drones were targeting the Kremlin. The drones were disabled by the use of electronic warfare radar systems,” the Russian presidency said in a statement. “We consider these actions to be an attempted terrorist act and an attempt on the president’s life,” adds the Moscow note, specifying that the Russian leader was not injured.

A video posted by some Russian media on social media shows a plume of smoke above the Kremlin at night. The veracity of these independently sourced images could not be verified.

According to the Russian presidency, “there were no casualties or damage caused by the fall and dispersal of fragments” of drones in the Kremlin.

BREAKING: The Kremlin has reportedly been attacked by at least 2 drones.

Russia now claims that the attacks were an assassination attempt on President Vladimir Putin.

The Two drones (One which can be seen in the video below) exploded behind the Kremlin walls.

Putin’s Office… pic.twitter.com/snC4KP05Bj

— Brian Krassenstein (@krassenstein) May 3, 2023

“Victory Day”

The attempted attack reported by the Kremlin comes days before “Victory Day” celebrations on May 9, when Russia celebrates the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945. VSeveral military parades have been canceled across Russia due to security concerns. However, government spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday that the large military parade in Moscow’s Red Square, the main event of the celebrations, was continuing despite the alleged attack on the Kremlin.

The mayor of the Russian capital, Sergei Sobyanin, announced, in turn, that drone flights will be banned in Moscow, except with government authorization.

Incidents involving drones have multiplied in recent months in Russia, targeting military bases or power infrastructure. Moscow accuses Kiev of being behind these attacks, but Ukrainian authorities have denied any involvement in the case.

In recent days, acts of railway sabotage in the Russian province of Bryansk, which borders Ukraine, have led to the derailment of two trains. The multiplication of these incidents comes as Kiev claims to have completed preparations for a major counter-offensive against Russian forces in Ukraine.

O Speaker of the Russian lower house of parliament has called for the “destruction” of the Ukrainian government after Moscow said it had foiled a drone attack on the Kremlin.

“There can be no negotiations with the regime [do presidente ucraniano Volodymyr] Zelensky. We will demand the use of weapons capable of stopping and destroying the terrorist regime in Kiev,” Duma President Vyacheslav Volodin said on the messaging app Telegram.

Ukraine imposes curfew in Kherson

Ukrainian authorities have announced a 58-hour curfew starting Friday evening in Kherson, close to the front lines in the south of the country.

In parallel to the announcement, Zelensky made a surprise trip this Wednesday to Finland, a new member of NATO, to participate in a summit meeting of five Nordic countries.

Resumed in November in a successful counteroffensive, the city of Kherson will remain under curfew “from 20:00 (14:00 GMT) on May 5 until 6:00 (0:00 GMT) on May 8”, the commander of the regional military administration, Oleksander Prokudin. “During the 58 hours, walking through the streets of the city will be prohibited. Kherson will also remain closed for entry and exit,” added the military officer.

Prokudin justified the “temporary restrictions” by “the need for the security forces to be able to do their job”, but did not reveal details.

Despite being liberated in November, Kherson is still the target of frequent shelling by the Russian army, which is positioned across the Dnieper River, which has become a natural border between the two sides. On Wednesday, a Russian attack on a supermarket in the city killed three civilians and wounded five, according to Ukrainian Interior Minister Igor Klimenko.

(With information from AFP)